Summer is one of the most popular seasons. With all the vacations, sunshine, warm weather and ice cream trips – I can see why. The warm weather makes summer ideal for outdoor activities and fun. Staying fit in the summer looks a little different than the rest of the year, mostly because there are so many more opportunities.

This summer, I plan to take advantage of the beautiful weather by exercising outdoors. I am lucky enough to live in Michigan, which is (in my opinion) one of the most unique and versatile states. We have woods, ski hills, two peninsulas, rivers, light houses, sand dunes and lakes galore. There is so much to explore in this beautiful state, and summer is just the right time to do it.

There are so many options to stay fit in the summer.

Many of my favorite summer activities involve being active outdoors. Luckily, most of the activities I love can be replicated just about anywhere! This world is such a beautiful place, and summer is the perfect time to explore. While the sunshine and heat may make running a little more challenging, take advantage of these few months by fitting in some trips that help you stay active this summer.

Related: 8 Tips to Make Running in the Heat Easier

With so many options, narrowing down ways to stay active in the summer can feel overwhelming sometimes. Here are my 8 most favorite and versatile ideas for staying fit this summer. Plan some trips, spend a weekend away, or take your kids around the block. Take your fitness outdoors this summer!

8 Fun Ways to Stay Active in the Summer

Go swimming

Swimming is something you can do anywhere: in the backyard pool, a lake, ocean, or community center. Kids love it, teens love it and parents love it. Not to mention swimming is a great way to burn calories. Even spending just a little bit of time treading water works your muscles in different ways than usual. Stay fit this summer just by heading to the beach every day!

Head out for a hike

Hiking is such a great way to explore. There are trails all around us, probably even closer to home than you expect. Hiking is a great workout, and if you pick a trail with hills or challenging terrain, you’ll be working those stability muscles in your ankles and legs as well. Hiking is a great cross training option that the entire family can do together.

Kayaking

I can’t think of a better upper body workout than kayaking. Whether you decide to kayak a river or local lake, you’ll work your arms as you paddle the kayak. I never realized how great of an arm workout kayaking could be until I tried to paddle along the shore of a big lake while there were high winds. Yikes! Mix it up this summer with some upper body work.

Tour some local towns

Those nearby small towns are great summer destinations. Walking along their streets downtown to explore their local shops and restaurants is a great way to add some extra steps to your day and spend time outside. Designate a day to drive around and stop in any new town you find.

Climb sand dunes

If you want an intense workout, climbing sand dunes is for you. We are lucky enough to have miles of sand dunes in Michigan and they are all similar in one way: they are steep. Walking in the sand on flat ground is enough of a workout by itself, but then you add an incline and it brings this activity to an entirely different level. If you have sand dunes within driving distance – check them out! I bet they will surprise you.

Snorkel or scuba dive

Scuba diving is one of my parents’ favorite activities, and after learning to dive a few years ago myself, I can understand why. There is an entirely different world underwater. Nothing compares to the peace and tranquility you feel while floating along with the underwater animals. If you aren’t certified to scuba dive, grab a snorkel and head out there. Kicking your fins to dive down to the bottom is an incredible calf workout.

Go for a bike ride

There is nothing like going for a nice long bike ride in the summer. Plan a trip with the family or just ride downtown to get some ice cream. Bike to dinner, to the movie store, or to your next appointment instead of driving there. Substituting just a few small trips really starts to add up after a while!

Spend a weekend camping

While camping by itself is not necessarily an active event, it forces you to spend time outside, which is usually accompanied by more fitness activities. Even if you don’t plan any special events while you camp, being outdoors and having to set up a tent or walk around the campsite to go to the bathroom forces you to take more steps than usual. Camping is a great weekend getaway!

I am a firm believe that Michigan is an incredibly beautiful, versatile and unique state, and that about 90% of the people who live here still have no idea what all it has to offer. Each state and country has their own unique traits, so take advantage of where you live. Spend time in the ocean, climbing mountains and exploring big cities. The world has so much to offer and summer is the perfect time to explore. There are too many beautiful things in this world to let this summer season go to waste. Stay active in the summer by spending time outdoors and taking advantage of the season!

More tips to stay active in the summer:

• 9 Easy Ways to Get 10,000 Steps
• Ridiculously Simple Ways to Make Staying Active Easier
• How to Stay Fit During the Running Off Season
• Tips for Running on Vacation